I blow out a breath. They’re not going to budge. The identical set of their jaws is familiar, and stubbornness is a family trait. I know when I’m outnumbered. “Fine. We’ll have to time it before they give him meds again so he’s somewhat alert.”
Mindy nods. “Let’s talk to the nurses.”
They tell us they’re going to give him his next round after dinner, so we have a little time to prepare.
Before Archer leaves to grab food for everyone, he gives me a quick kiss and a whispered, “Good luck.”
It’s time for a genuine conversation with Jacob.
My palms sweat, my heart thudding a dull beat in my chest. I should have talked to him about his drinking sooner. Maybe this wouldn’t have happened . . . or maybe it would have happened sooner. It doesn’t matter now, and I can’t avoid the conflict any longer.
At least Mindy and Taylor are here. Despite my protestations, their combined presence is a soothing balm on what will likely be a tense conversation.
I sit in the chair next to his bedside. “I know you’ve been through a lot and you’re still in pain, but we need to talk about what’s going to happen next.”
His head tilts toward me. “You mean the physical therapy? You told me about that.”
Mindy perches on the arm of my seat. “We mean after that. You had alcohol in your blood, Jacob, over the legal limit.”
He blinks. “I tried to sleep it off before I drove home.”
I try to keep my voice soft and even. “Not enough. Marco said since it’s a first offense, he’s going to push for no jail time, and they’re going to recommend you pay a fine in addition to completing treatment at an inpatient center for three months.” A typical low-grade DUI that doesn’t involve other parties doesn’t normally incur in-house rehab, but Marco and the rest of the town are more than aware of Jacob’s troubles. This offer is a ladder out, a way to hopefully avoid future—potentially worse—damages.
His head rolls away from us, toward the window.
“This might be a good thing,” Taylor says.
He squeezes his eyes shut. “How is it a good thing?”
I take a deep breath. “It’s a good thing because we love you, Jacob, and things need to change.”
“Why are you all ganging up on me?” His eyes open, glaring at the three of us in turn.
“We’re not ganging up on you. We want to help.” Taylor puts her hand on his arm.
He tugs away from her touch. “I don’t need help. But I guess I don’t have a say in that.”
The bitterness in his voice knocks me back on my heels.
Mindy speaks. “You had a choice, Jacob. You chose to drink and drive. You created this situation. Not us. Not the police. You.”
He turns his head away again. “You don’t understand.”
“I want to understand. Explain it to me.”
He swallows before speaking. “You all lost a little sister. I lost a piece of my soul.”
Aria.
He never talks about her. We never talk about her.
My eyes fill with tears.
Mindy stares at him, her mouth half open. Taylor’s face is stricken, her eyes shiny.
“It was my fault.” His voice is dull.
“What?” Taylor asks. “What do you mean? You lost control because of the ice.”